It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
